Preview: China targets podium finishes in speed skating at Milan-Cortina

BEIJING, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- With the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics approaching, Team China will arrive with one of its largest-ever speedskating contingents and is aiming for the podium. However, replicating its historic gold-medal success from Beijing 2022 will require overcoming intense global competition and a new generation of dominant rivals.

China has secured 15 quota places, seven men and eight women, tying Canada for the second-largest squad behind traditional powerhouse the Netherlands. Having qualified for every event except the men's 10,000 meters, the team equals China's record participation at the 2006 Turin Games, underlining ambitions across sprint, middle-distance and team events.

Leading the charge is defending 500-meter Olympic champion Gao Tingyu. Four years ago in Beijing, Gao became China's first male Olympic gold medalist in speedskating, breaking the Olympic record in the process. Now heading into his third Winter Games, his path to Milan has been far from smooth. Knee injuries hit him last season, forcing him to focus on rehab during the 2025 summer. He has since regrouped, taking a World Cup bronze in Salt Lake City this season.

However, the men's 500-meter field has been reshaped since Beijing 2022. Gao now faces a surge of young talents, most notably American standout Jordan Stolz. For the experienced Gao, the key to defending his title will be balancing his explosive start with the late-race speed needed to hold off younger finishers.

In the middle distances, China's main hope is Ning Zhongyan. The two-time Olympian finished third overall in the 1,500-meter World Cup standings this season, earning two silver and two bronze medals. Ning is also a vital component of the men's team pursuit squad, which recently earned a World Cup bronze, boosting confidence for a potential breakthrough at Milan-Cortina.

On the women's side, Han Mei has maintained steady form in the 1,000 meters and 1,500 meters, making her a strong contender. Meanwhile, the women's team pursuit is viewed as one of China's best medal opportunities, although it will face fierce competition from established lineups representing the Netherlands, Japan and Canada.

Internationally, the obstacles are formidable. Since Beijing 2022, 21-year-old Stolz has emerged as the sport's dominant all-rounder, leading the 500, 1,000 and 1,500 meters this season. Finding a way past him will be the central challenge for both Gao and Ning.

The Dutch team, which has amassed 133 Olympic speedskating medals including 48 golds, returns with a lineup led by Femke Kok, Kjeld Nuis and Jenning de Boo. Kok and Nuis have both shown strong form this season, while Suzanne Schulting is set to compete in both speedskating and short track.

Canada, the defending Olympic champion in the women's team pursuit, is aiming to retain its title, while Japan, Norway and Poland also bring deep, competitive squads.

Speedskating at Milan-Cortina will run from Feb. 7-21, with 14 gold medals on offer. ■